Police believe State Sen. stabbed by own son

BATH COUNTY, Va. (WUSA9) -- Virginia State Police are investigating a possible attempted murder/suicide after Virginia senator Creigh Deeds was stabbed at his home in Bath Countyon Tuesday morning.

Police say they believe that the senator's 24-year-old son stabbed his father multiple times and then shot himself.

According to state police during a press conference Tuesday afternoon, police received a 911 call at 7:25 a.m. for a home on Vineyard Drive in the Millboro community of Bath County. Police say after the stabbing, Sen. Deeds left the scene on foot and walked down the hill of his property to Route 42.His cousin was driving along Route 42,saw the senator and picked him up. They then drove to the cousin'shome where the 911 call was placed to the sheriff's office.

Deputies arrived to find Deeds with multiple stab wounds to the head andupper torso.He was taken by ambulance to a relative's farm and then flown to the University of Virginia Medical Centerin Charlottesville for treatment.

Deeds' son Gus, age 24,was foundwith a single gunshot wound inside the home, say police.Hedied at the scene.

Gus Deeds took a semester off from The College of William and Mary to help his father's unsuccessful 2009 campaign for governor. He returned to William and Mary, but withdrew last month.The College said the younger Deeds was "a music major with a strong academic record" who had enrolled in 2007, but was not a student at the time of his death.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Gus underwent an emergency mental health evaluation yesterday. But he was released due to a lack of available beds in psychiatric facilities across western Virginia.But this evening, a spokesman for Western State Hospital in Staunton, Virginia said it had openings."We have no waiting list, and we did not get a call," said John Beghtol of Western State Hospital.

A shocking 2012 Virginia Inspector General's report reveals that in a 90-day period, 72 people who should have been admitted were not due to a lack of beds. According to the report, all met the criteria for a TDO-a temporary detention order-indicating there was a "substantial likelihood...in the near future... that a person is at risk for serious harm to himself or others... and in need of hospitalization or treatment."

Police are still investigating, trying to determine the sequence of events. At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, police said they are looking at the incident as a possible attempted murder-suicide in which Gus stabbed his father and then shot himself.

Rockbridge County Community Services Board in Lexington, Virginia evaluated Gus on Monday. They are also trying to determine the motive for the assault, and said that they are not looking for any suspects.

According to police, Deeds has spoken to police investigators while at the hospital. Police and Deeds' family remain at the hospital at this hour.

Deeds was once a candidate for Virginia governor. He ran against Bob McDonnell in 2009.

Gov. McDonnell issued the following statement about the assault on Deeds on Tuesday:

"In this tough and sad time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Deeds family. The news from this morning is utterly heartbreaking. Creigh Deeds is an exceptional and committed public servant who has always done what he believes is best for Virginia and who gives his all to public service. He cares deeply about Virginia, and the people of Virginia care deeply for him. I urge all Virginians today to join me in praying for a full and complete recovery for Creigh and for many more years of his public service to the Commonwealth. At this moment, our state unites in prayer for Creigh Deeds and his family."

Virginia Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe also releaseda statement:

"Dorothy and I are praying for Senator Creigh Deeds and his family in the wake of this awful tragedy. This is a truly sad day for Virginia and for the many people who know Creigh as the fine public servant and friend he is. We join people across the Commonwealth and country in wishing him a full recovery."

Sen. Mark Warner tweeted about the news on Tuesday: "Stunning news from Bath County. I am praying for @CreighDeeds and his family at this very, very difficult time."

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell also released a statement: "Cessie and I would like to extend our sincerest thoughts and prayers to Senator Creigh Deeds and his family. This is a tragic incident and something no one could ever imagine. We are thinking and praying for Creigh at this time."

William & Mary issued the following statement regarding Austin "Gus" Deeds, who attended the school:

William & Mary is very saddened to hear this tragic news. Gus Deeds was a member of the William & Mary community. He had been enrolled as a student at William & Mary since 2007, though not continuously. He withdrew from the College last month and was not currently enrolled at the time of his death. Our hearts go out to the entire Deeds family.